High- and low-intensity exercise do not improve cognitive function after stroke: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine 2016-11, Vol.48 (10), p.841-846
• Main Authors: Tang, Ada, Eng, Janice J, Krassioukov, Andrei V, Tsang, Teresa S M, Liu-Ambrose, Teresa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerobic exercise; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Assessors; Attention; Clinical trials; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology; Cognitive Dysfunction - rehabilitation; Cognitive functioning; Conflict resolution; Evidence-based medicine; Executive Function; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Flexibility; Humans; Male; Memory; Middle Aged; Selective attention; Short term memory; Stroke; Stroke - psychology; Stroke Rehabilitation - methods; Verbal memory
• ISSN: 1650-1977; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2163

To determine the effects of high versus low-intensity exercise on cognitive function following stroke. Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors. 50-80 years old, living in the community, > 1 year post-stroke. Participants were randomized into a high-intensity Aerobic Exercise or low-intensity non-aerobic Balance/Flexibility program. Both programs were 6 months long, with 3 60-min sessions/week. Verbal item and working memory, selective attention and conflict resolution, set shifting were assessed before and after the program. Forty-seven participants completed the study (22/25 in Aerobic Exercise group, 25/25 in Balance/Flexibility group). There was an improvement in verbal item memory in both groups (time effect p = 0.04), and no between-group differences in improvement in the other outcomes (p > 0.27). There was no association between pre-exercise cognitive function and post-exercise improvement. In contrast to a small body of previous research suggesting positive benefits of exercise on cognition post-stroke, the current study found that 6 months of high or low intensity exercise was not effective in improving cognitive function, specifically executive functions. Further research in this area is warranted to establish the effectiveness of post-stroke exercise programs on cognition, and examine the mechanisms that underlie these changes.